The Razer BlackShark V2 is one of the best gaming headsets available. What more could you want for? It offers better isolation than some best over ear headphones, more accurate sound than most gaming headsets, and enough comfort to wear for hours without getting too hot. It’s difficult not to picture a Razer product when you think of a gaming headset.
The majority of the company’s goods, with their large, clunky headphones, LED-filled chassis, and jet black exteriors, essentially standardized the product category. Now, by getting rid of practically all of that, this Razer gaming headset is differentiating itself. The Razer BlackShark V2 has a clean, uncluttered appearance. There aren’t any lights, large headphones, or really any other decorative touches. We are here with our Razer BlackShark V2 X review you can read now.
Razer BlackShark V2 X review: Design
The Razer BlackShark V2 X has a quieter, more understated look. With its cast in black matte plastic, it blends in perfectly with modern gaming headsets. Even the Razer logo is in a little offset black and there is no RGB. This neon green cable is the lone splash of colour, which Razer has managed to conceal a little better this time.
While the portion of the earcups that rest on your face is made of normal fabric, the headband and the interior of the earcups are covered in a soft leatherette. The earcups themselves are made of lightweight memory foam that easily contracts, so they will fit comfortably on your head. During my testing, we could see the fabric absorbing perspiration, and it worked well enough.
Speaking of wire, the 4.2-foot cable is not braided like the BlackShark V2’s, but rather is covered in a soft plastic-like material. There is no USB sound card with this model, and the mic splitter extension cable that comes with it is made of the same material.
The flexible Razer HyperClear Cardioid microphone on the left earpiece is fixed in place. The headset itself also has a volume control and mute button. We much prefer volume controls on the wire itself, but Razer only included those on the more expensive BlackShark V2.
Razer BlackShark V2 X review: Comfort
The BlackShark V2 X rivals the efforts of well-known rivals like HyperX with its class-leading comfort. The cushions are large, plush, and filled with luxurious memory foam. With the help of the friction-based sliders on each side, it seals smoothly around my spectacles and offers a wide range of adjustment.
Due to the headband’s excessive padding and the precisely regulated clamping force, we can wear this headset all day long without experiencing any discomfort. The regular hybrid cloth/leatherette cushions on the V2 X are still excellent, even if Razer’s more opulent “FlowKnit” ear cushions are also available on the more expensive BlackShark V2 and the Razer Kaira Pro. They can reasonably dissipate heat thanks to the cloth.
Razer BlackShark V2 X review: Connectivity
But the Blackshark V2 X improves being wired even more, in part because of a long cable and the option to disconnect halfway through the length. A second length of cable with a single 3.5mm input on one end and two 3.5mm outputs on the other, one for audio and one for your microphone, is provided by the audio and microphone splitter attachment for the Blackshark V2 X.
The fact that we could plug my headphones into the panel on the back of my computer and hide the cables made that setup very useful for me. Additionally, it prevented me from having to unplug my entire audio setup when we wanted to use the best headphones elsewhere, such as with a laptop or a rare smartphone that still has a headphone connector.
Razer BlackShark V2 X review: Noise Cancelling
Comparing the Razer BlackShark V2 to other gaming headsets we’ve tested, it boasts excellent isolation. Although this headset lacks active noise cancellation (ANC), it nonetheless offers greater sound isolation than many other noise-cancelling headphones, including Razer’s own Opus. Although it may sound excessive, isolation is more crucial for muting stray noises. The most effective method for eliminating droning noises is ANC (the whirring of a fridge, or low rumble of an engine). In any case, you could do much worse than this if you’re searching for a nice headset to block out home noise.
Razer BlackShark V2 X review: Audio Performance
The Triforce 50mm drivers from Razer are touted as being able to perform the functions of three distinct audio drivers in a single device. Treble, midrange, and bass are supposed to sound more distinct, resulting in clearer audio and a fuller experience. We could definitely hear the lower bass thumps when we dropped into some K-pop, but the high end was a tad muffled right out of the box. While watching the Tenet trailer, we also noticed that the spoken dialogue lacked a little bit of clarity.
With a single 3.5mm plug, the BlackShack V2 X can be connected to the majority of current devices, including the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile phones, in addition to your gaming PC. Only Windows 10 offers virtual 7.1 surround sound. Use of the Razer Synapse programme or the 7.1 surround sound app, which are not included in the box, requires some form of USB connection. For surround sound testing, we connected the BlackShack V2 X via USB using a Turtle Beach Atlas Edge Audio Enhancer.
Razer BlackShark V2 X review: Battery
We discovered that, for the most part, Razer’s claim that the BlackShark V2 Pro battery will last up to 24 hours on a single charge is accurate. In our tests, the headset had a continuous output of 75 dB for 24 hours and 40 minutes on a single charge. You’ll probably perform even better if you listen at a lower volume, and Synapse also has a sleep mode feature that turns the headset off after a certain amount of inactivity. Even though 24 hours is already a fantastic result, you might find it lasting longer.
Final words
A great method to test out popular new drivers from a famous gaming company, as well as simulated 7.1 surround, without spending a lot of money is with Razer’s BlackShark V2 X. 7.1 was audible and useful in this situation for gaming. Additionally, the fit is cosy all around. The issue is that, especially when compared to Razer’s own Kraken X, the design itself doesn’t seem to have a long lifespan.
In contrast to the BlackShack V2 X’s metal forks and visible wire, the latter headset features a more uniform design. Although Razer lists it with a $79.99 MSRP, it has been going for $49.99 for the previous few months and also has 7.1 surround sound. A new Kraken headset would have benefited from Razer’s upgraded drivers.
